Justice has been served, says Rio Games rowing hope cleared of nightclub assault

An Olympic rowing hopeful cleared of assaulting a lawyer in one of Prince Harry’s favourite nightclubs today spoke of his relief that “justice has been served”.

Sean Corrigall, who hopes to make the Great Britain squad for the 2016 Rio Games, had been accused of punching commercial law specialist Edward Dyson four times at the Mahiki cocktail bar.

Mr Dyson, 28, who works for the Clifford Chance law firm in Canary Wharf, claimed the blows caused a whiplash-type injury which worsened his pre-existing tinnitus — a ringing in the ears he has had since being punched in a separate club incident eight years ago.

But Mr Corrigall’s barrister Michael Stradling told the court the lawyer had exaggerated his injuries so he could make a compensation claim.

Magistrates decided there was not enough evidence to prove the assault took place and cleared Mr Corrigall, 23. The champion rower, who was on the water this morning at 7am training in Scotland, said: “I am absolutely delighted justice has been served.”

Mr Corrigall, a member of the prestigious Molesey Rowing Club in south-west London, added: “I am representing Scotland at the weekend and would prefer to put the whole matter behind me and concentrate on what’s important. ”

Hammersmith magistrates’ court had heard Mr Corrigall was in the Mayfair club — frequented by celebrities including Kate Moss, Jay Z and Emma Watson as well as royals like Harry and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie — when there was a confrontation on the dancefloor on March 31.

Mr Dyson claimed there was an argument as he tried to get past Mr Corrigall’s group and then someone threw a drink over him. But Mr Corrigall said it was Mr Dyson who barged into him and his friends, and he became aggressive and tried to bite him on the nose.

Finding Mr Corrigall not guilty of assault, magistrate Don Kennedy said photographs of Mr Dyson taken at the time “are not consistent with the alleged ferocity of the attack”.

A member of Mr Corrigall’s family said later: “Sean is one of the most peaceable men you could meet. Because of his size he can’t afford to get into trouble. He always has to walk away.”

Mr Corrigall, who rents a cottage in Sutton Green, Surrey, has won a string of rowing events including the Gold Cup for the 2,000 metres at Henley Regatta. Mr Dyson was not available for comment.